Private Aerie de Cestrum Nocturnum

[Madrona A’Mia]

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Once alone, save for the much desired companionship provided by Darth Strosius and Lina Ovmar , A'Mia's bearing softened yet further into total exhaustion. She stood tall supported by the two on either arm but her eyes closed and the neti equivalent to a sigh escaped her. Loosely braided vines rustled free of their confines and a sound like rustling leaves filled the air of the loft she'd tree strided them into.

"Tuti muryasa, shasona kaj dzu shahkû. Nu tqi warji dzis wir rososûtia diâ ntirmi, diâ ridasizi ja'wi ri sûrsrizra iw kinima'ija minjio wodichu."

She'd said, and soon after the sound of leafy, rustling not-quite-footsteps greeted their ears as the psychic summons of their master brought forth servants. Some carried a few bottles of various elixirs and tea, some recognizable as wine whilst others remained a mystery, still more brought what almost looked to be garment boxes. There were at least a dozen of the strange botanical creatures, they lacked any telltale sign that they were Sithspawn and moved with purpose which indicated sentience.

"This armor, my robes I mean," A'Mia began to explained as she stepped away from between the two, gliding toward the center of the open room.

"While an invaluable and princely gift, do require significant time to don and doff."

Those creatures bearing drinks made their way to the far table to set things down whilst the others dutifully got to work.

"My attendants will see to this, they know the ritual of it. Once free of the over-layers, I will refresh and join you in rest. Please, do tell me if I can send for anything else to make either of you more comfortable."

And indeed, the strange flowery three foot tall creatures began to deftly use their multiple flexible fronds to begin the intricate process of unweaving the garment from the neti warrior.

 

[Lina Ovmar]

Lina was never disappointed by A'Mia and her abilities. As the tree folded closed behind them she moved with the exhausted neti eyes sweeping once over the beautiful interior. It was alive and yet still peaceful, the soft whisper of leaves in a hidden breeze replaced the hum and laughter of many collected around fires.

Disappointment flickered briefly across her face as A'Mia stepped away explaining about her armour and the time it would take to remove it. She opened her mouth to offer aid when the sound of strange footsteps made her look round. "Revwiens." she said softly, a smile curving her lips "You truly are a wonder, A'Mia." she said stepping forward to place a kiss upon the neti's cheek before stepping away, hand trailing softly down her arm before she moved towards the sofa stopping shy of it to turn to face Alisteri.

"You," She said her tone sharp suddenly recalling the panic he ahd displayed when she had shown affection. "What was that, hm?" She waved a hand towards the door they had come through, taking a step towards him. "Do you think people will think less of you? Or are you simply ashamed?"

Darth Strosius Madrona A’Mia

 

[Darth Strosius]

Darth Strosius wasn't certain that He'd ever get used to the unusual manner of travel that the Neti employed so casually, as though passing through one landmark to wind up at a completely different location wasn't some miracle. At the very least He wished that she would just once indicate any level of discomfort on par with His own at the transport, His head left spinning and His vision swimming slightly for a moment. It didn't last of course but that it happened at all was extremely disconcerting.

When His vision was fully set right He was thankfully still holding the tray with the food atop it in place, a silent sigh of relief leaving Him at the sight of not having made a mess on the floor before He glanced around to take in the arboreal space that A'Mia had brought them to. It was a bit bright for His tastes but aside from that it was definitely befitting her own elegance and style. Before He had the chance to accept the offer of comfort, His gaze snapped to the sounds of movement and found some odd creatures awaiting to tend to the Neti.

At least Lina had some recognition of them, enough for Him to nod as though He did as well. They supplied some additional refreshments as well as getting to work on relieving A'Mia of her armored trappings. An evidently long process which He could sympathize with, even if she allowed aid in such a matter where He would never dream of doing so. "Take your time A'Mia, I'm rather pleased to indulge in this serene little loft of yours myself." It definitely beat the command center in Rann at the very least.

Unfortunately before He could make any progress on becoming comfortable as the Neti bid them to do, Lina had turned to face Him and fix Him with a look that He knew well enough to be wary of. Darth Strosius was never one to cower of course but there was a noticeable tension in His shoulders that spread into a subtle cringing of His "wings" as she stepped towards Him. "Darling you know that I don't care for the opinions of the public. Certainly not those of the wider Order at any rate."

He had to choose His words very carefully here, this could prove to be an exceptionally dangerous situation if He didn't. "It isn't the perception of myself that I fear for, its yours that I'm concerned with." He made a set of slow, gradual steps to the side. Just enough so that He could set the tray down on the table and pretend like He wasn't starting to sweat from her gaze. "You know how prying eyes can be and how fast word travels. I wouldn't wish for you to attract the wrong sort of attention and intentions from anyone just by being around me. If I were the cause of any more trouble in your life I don't know how I'd live with myself."

Madrona A’Mia / Lina Ovmar

 

[Madrona A’Mia]

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Tired eyes lit up a bit with refreshed vigor as Lina named her servants correctly. So rarely did others she encountered, her fellow Sith in particular, have any real understanding or appreciation for botanicals. Then as the woman pressed a kiss to her face and made her way across the room, A'Mia's fingers came up as if to press the gesture to her smooth cheek. She patiently held still though as her arboreal attendants worked. Painstakingly, the diligent Revwiens began to unwrap the intricate weaving of her enchanted robes.

Nodding mildly at Alisteri's comment, she gave a somewhat timid smile at his feeling welcome.

"It's good to hear," she murmured in response to his interest in her home.

Listening with interest and more than a little curiosity, A'Mia watched her companions discuss the nuances of public affection. The neti noted Lina's vehemence and sharp questioning, Alisteri's careful response. It was like a verbal dance, or maybe a spar, but well intentioned on both their parts as best she could tell. Despite her recent growth and strides made regarding interpersonal connection, the woman still often felt as a stranger in a strange land when navigating such matters.

The silver lining to her lengthy doffing process in this particular case was that she could observe and learn. Lina, who made such shows of affection and interpersonal niceties seem as second nature, in contrast to Alisteri who had a more formal, reserved and gallant approach to such things. A'Mia admired each of them in their way, was moved by their different displays of care, and felt more than a little envious that it seemed to require no training or learning on their part. So often she still felt clumsy or ill-practiced with such things but also found that when she gave in to her whims, it often yielded good results.

On and on her thoughts turned, all the while her attendants performed their ceremony and her companions made themselves more at home. For a time, A'Mia kept her silence but her watchful gaze shifted between the two.

Lina Ovmar | Darth Strosius​

 

[Lina Ovmar]

Even without seeing his face, she could read the tension in his shoulders, in the subtle shift of the ethereal tendrils that rose behind him. Her gaze narrowed as he denied his concern with the opinions of the public, picking his way sideways to set the tray down on the table, each step careful, lest he shatter the eggshells beneath his feet.

“Alisteri, I am already subject to what you would consider the wrong attention and I garnered that without your help.” She closed the distance between them, her head tilting as she looked up, catching the flecks of gold hidden behind his mask. “You need not worry about that, ki sosûtudas. I would face all the trouble in the galaxy and do so gladly, so long as you are by my side.”

She reached, fingers seeking the claps of his helm, her thumbs brushed gently over the mask's cheeks as she paused, waiting for a sign that he was comfortable enough to remove it.

Madrona A’Mia Darth Strosius